Packing and supporting toys.



No. 689,377. Patented Dac. 24, |90l. C. w. BEISER.

PACKING AND SUPPORTING TOYS.

(Application led Apr. 18, 1901.)

2 sheets-sheet 4.

(llo Model.)

'me nomas PETERS on, mop-uws.. wAsHlNnrma. nA c.

No. 689,377. v Patented Dec. 24, |901. C. W. BEISEH.

PACKING AND SUPPORTING TOYS.

. (Application filed Apr. 1.6, 1901.) (un Model.) 2 sheets-sheet 2.

C. WBe/z'ser.

Ntra STATES ATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES XV. BEISER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO IDA BEISER, OF BROOKLYN, NEV YORK.

PACKING AND SUPPORTING TOYS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 689,377, dated December 24, 1901.

Application tiled April 16. 1901. Serial No. 56.111. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, it may concern.'

Be it known that I, CHARLES WV. BEISER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, Kings county, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Packing and Supporting Toys; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the saine.

`This invention relates to certain improvements in devices for supporting, packing, and displayinY toy figures and the like. v

The objects and nature of the in rention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art in the light ot the following description ofthe constructions shown in the accompanying drawings as examples, among others, of devices within the spirit and scope of my invention.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction, in combinations, or in arrangements of parts, as more fully and particularly pointed out and described hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of the tray carrying toy figures and fitted in the box-cover, which is shownon the box for display. The cover and also the top sheet otl the tray are both shown partially broken away. Dotted lines indicate the interposed spacing-strips of the tray where hidden. Fig.2 is a crosssectional View through a box, showing the tray in section with toy figures locked therein, the tray shown fitted in the box-cover, and the box fitted in the cover, clamping the tray between the cover and box. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the base portion of a toy figure such 'as shown in preceding views. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of part of the tray, showing an opening in the top sheet thereof adapted to receive the toy-base of Fig. 3, spacing-strips and the top and bottom sheets of the tray being shown in section or broken away. Fig, 5 is a detail cross-section through part of the tray, showing the base portion ot a toy inserted therein and gripped or locked between the two sheets or portions of the tray. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the tray, a portion of the top sheet being broken away to show the spacing-strips, dotted lines indicating the spacing-strips where covered by the top sheet. Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a tray wherein' the top and bottom sheets or portions of the tray are held separated the desired distance by a single sheet of the desi red thickhess,with holes therethrough larger than and registering with the openings in the top sheet, the top sheet being shown partially broken away, the spacing-sheet also being shown partially broken away. Fig.S is a vertical section ot' a support or tray wherein the top sheetis secured on a block, with an interposed spacing device, the base of a toy being shown resting on the top of the block and clamped thereto bythe top sheet-,as in thehereinbeforementioned figures. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective View of the base portion of a toyand aportion of a tray, the toy-base being elliptical in outline and the opening in the tray being correspondingly formed to receive said base, so that when the base isinserted in the opening and partially turned the ends ot the base will move and wedgein between the upper and lower sheets of the tray and lock the toy to the tray. Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view of a tray having an opening to receive the base shown in Fig. 9, the base being shown in the tray in the position it assumes before being locked. Fig. 1l is a View corresponding to Fig. lO, but showing the position of the parts after the toy has been turnedto wedge or force the ends of the base between the top and bottom sheets or portions ot the tray, and thereby lock the toy to the tray.

Heretotore cardboard sheets have been employed as a support or display-tray for toy soldiers, cannon, tents, ne.; but these sheets as heretofore used and employed generally consisted of a mere card, to which the toys were stitched or pasted in a horizontal or flat position, so that it was necessary to mutilate the cards in removing the toys or so that when the toys were once removed from the cards they could not be replaced or attached thereto without again stitching or sewing them there to. It was expensive to mount the toys on such cards and inconvenient to remove them, and when once removed the card was of no further use in connection with the toys. Furthermore,it was difticult, if notimpossible,

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for the retailer to properly display said toys when thus stitched flat on cards, as means had to be provided to hold or support the cards in an upright or inclined position, and even when thus supported the beauty and attractiveness ot' the toys were not fully brought to the Vattention of customers. lt was also expensive and inconvenient to pack and ship v the toys When thus stitched laton cards, as

' therefrom and which will hold the toys in an upright position without stitching for packA ing, shipping, and display. Y

The particular constructions shown in the accompanying drawings as examples for the purposes of explanation comprise a tray or support composed of two or more portions, elements, or sheets, one or more of which are preferably ot' approximately flexible or yielding material, although my invention in all its features is not so limited. For the purpose ofecouomy and convenience these sheets are usually composed of comparatively heavy cardboard or the like, although sheet metal lor other suitable material might possibly be employed.

There the tray is formed ofsheets, I usually provide two parallel sheets of approximately the same length and width and secure the same together around their edges and inter- ,pose suitable spacing means between the sheets, the top sheet being provided with openings through which the toy-bases pass to rest on the bottom sheet, so that on being partially turned a portion or portions of the base will wedge between the two sheets and be frictionally gripped or held thereby.

The lower sheet a is usually imperforate or otherwise so formed that the toy-bases can rest thereon and be clamped between the same and the top sheet. The upper sheet L has one or more openings c cut, punched, or

otherwise formed completely therethrough.`

These openings can be arranged in any suitable manner,although they are often arranged in rows, and usually each opening is located some distance from other openings and is separate and complete, and all the openings are located within the boundaries of the sheet and some distances from the outside edges thereof, so that the box can close down on the top sheet of the tray around the edges thereof, as hereinafter set forth.

Each opening is preferably eccentric in outline or formed with differing diameters. For instance, in all the figures of the drawings, excepting Figs. 9, 10, and 11, each opening c is round or circular, except for one or more recesses, odset@ or radial enlargements c',

extending completely through the sheet and opening into the main opening c,and thus rendering each opening eccentric in outline or with differing diameters, although it is possible that socketsmight beformedwith openings otherwise than specifically described. If two of said enlargements c' are employed, they are usually' arranged diametricaliy opposite each other. In Figs. 9, l0, and Il the opening c" in the top sheet of the tray is formed elliptical or somewhat elongated in outline.

Any suitable meansrare provided to separate or hold the top sheet the desirable distance from the bottom sheetor portion and to form sockets in the tray to receive the toybases, although it might be possible to otherwise form the tray to provide the sockets to receive the toy-bases.

In the drawings (excepting Fig. 7) I show spacing-strips d, usually formed of cardboard or any other suitable material, interposed between and secu red to the two sheets of the tray. These strips are arranged in any suitable manner between the openings in the top sheet, so as not to interfere with or obstruct the toybases, and yet so as to hold the top sheet down with the firmness which may be necessary to cause the same to properly grip the toy-bases.

In Fig. 7 I show the top and bottom sheets of the tray properly spaced and secured together at points intermediate `their edges by a single spacing-sheet d of the same exterior dimensions as the top and bottom sheets and having openings d" cut therethrough'and registering with but of greater diameter than the openings c of the top sheet. The openings dl' are of sufcient size to permit the entrance of the toybases and free turning thereof on the bottom sheet, preferably without engagement of said spacing-sheet by the toy-bases. Y

In the manufactureof the trays I usually cement the spacing strips or sheets to both the top and bottom sheets and then bind the edges of the tray together by the bindingstrip c, of paper or other suitable material pasted to the top and bottom sheets and lapping the edges of the tray about as shown, although I do not wish to so limit my invention in all respect-s.

p In Fig. 8 I show the bottom supportor sheet formed by a block, on the top face of which the toy-base can' rest and on which the top sheet and spacing device can be secured. Such a device can form a pedestal to receive and support a single large toy, such as a toy horse with a figure thereon, and, if desired, such pedestal can be secured on a tray or it can be used separately as a complete article.

Any suitable toys or like or other articles can be formed to be supported by and locked to said tray. For the purposes of illustration and explanation I have selected to show in the drawings toy soldiers or figures f, each formed with a circular base f, having the approximately vertical or cylindrical sur- IOO IIO.

rounding edge or periphery to snugly lit an opening c in the tray-sheet and capable of axial movement in the tray. The base is formed to rest on the bottom of the tray, and hence each base usually has a fiat bottom face. Also each base is usually so formed as to extend from the iioor or bottom of the tray upwardly to snugly iilland close each opening c, with the top face of the base approximately flush with the top face of the top sheet of the tray. It will be observed that where the toybase is constructed as just described it presents asm-rounding edge or abutment against the edge of the top sheet, surrounding the openingcin said sheetto hold the base against lateral movement in the tray and to render the insertion, turning, and removal thereof easy and to 'avoid tearing or marrin g the edges of the top sheet. Where the toy-bases are constructed as described, each is cast or otherwise formed with one or more radially-projecting lugs, ears, or flanges f, if desirable, somewhat rounded or beveled on the top face. Each such projection f" generally conforms in outline to the offset c of an opening c, so as to pass down therethrough, and is less in thickness than thebase. The projections f" usually project from the lower portions of the bases, so as to rest on the bottom sheet, and are usually slightly greater in thickness than the space between the floor of the tray and the under face of the top sheet, so that when a toy-base is inserted in an opening c onto the ioor of the tray and is then turned or moved axially said projection or projections will wedge or move under the top sheet and be gripped or clamped between the top sheet and fioor of the tray or support.

In Figs. 9, 10, and ll the toy-bases f3 are shown elliptical or elongated in form without the projections shown in other figures of the drawings and are arranged to pass down throughthe elliptical openings c" and rest on the fioor of the tray, and on being turned or partially rotated the ends of the bases will pass under the top sheet and be wedged or clamped between the ioor of the tray and the said top sheet. A support or tray of this character can be most economically constructed, and the toys can be readily applied thereto and as easily removed therefrom without injury to the support or tray. Hence the device becomes asource of great amusement to children in addition to the advantages in shipping and to the retailer in displaying the toys.

It is usually of advantage to have both or either the top wall or'sheet or the ioor of the supportl somewhat elastic or flexible to aid in gripping or clamping the toy-bases, so that the toys will be firmly maintained in upright position during transportation and for display.

g is the flanged slip or overlapping cover of the cardboard or other material display and packing-box h. The said box is in depth :eater than the length above the tray of any of the toys mounted thereon. The tray is of such exterior dimensions as to snugly fit down in the cover g-that is, the exterior length and breadth of the tray are equal to the corresponding interior dimensions of the cover, so that the tray will snugly fit in the cover, with the flanges of the cover projecting a distance above the tray. Usually the relative dimensions of the cover and tray are such that the tray will maintain its position there- -in by frictional contact with the flanges of the cover. The tray is placed down in the cover, which is reversed or withaits flanges projecting upwardly. The box h is reversed and slipped into the cover over the tray and figures thereon, so that the lower edges of the box rest on the top face of the tray around and adjacent to the edges thereof, and thus firmly clamp the tray between the box and cover, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The cover and box can then be fastened together by any suitable means, such as a wrapping of cord, as shown in said figure. The box can then be carried or shipped either side up or in any position, as the tray is firmly clamped, and the figures are securely fastened thereto, and hence no packing material is required in the box, and it is not necessary to stitch or otherwise fasten the tray to the box.

When the boxes are delivered to the retailer, it is merely necessary for him to sever the fastening-cord and remove the cover of the box with the tray therein and place the tray on the box for display, as shown in Fig. 1, with all the toys displayed in their normal upright positions.

It is evident that Various changes and modications might be resorted to in the forms, constructions, and arrangements of the parts described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact construction shown.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. A display-tray comprising two sheets secured together, separating-strips between the IOO IIO

two sheets, the upper sheet being flexible and formed with openings therethrough arranged between said strips, each opening formed with differing diameters and adapted to permit passage therethrough of a toy-base,where by said base will rest on the under sheet amd on being turned will project beneath the upper sheet and be clamped between the two sheets, substantially as described.

2. The combination, of a tray comprising two sheets secured together, the vupper sheet having openings therethrough, each opening formed with differing diameters, and toy articles or figures, each having a fiat-faced base formed to pass through one of said openings and rest on the under sheet and maintain the article in an upright position, whereby said base on being turned will project beneath the top sheet and be clamped between the upper and lower sheets against rocking, substantial] y as described.

A carrying and displaying device for toys comprising a lloor, and a raised top sheet secured thereto and formed with an opening therethrough having differing diameters, in combination with a toy having a base formed and adapted, in a given relation, to pass down through said opening and 'rest on said door, and on being turned to wedge under said top sheet and hold the toy upright against tilting and be clamped between the floor and said sheet,I substantially as described.

4. A display-tray comprising a Hoor, a top sheet having openings therethrough, and spacing means interposed between the licor and sheet, said openings adapted, in a given relation, to permit passage therethrough of toy-bases to rest on said lioor, whereby said bases on being turned will project under said sheet and be frictionally held and clamped between the sheet and said floor, thereby permitting the toys to be easily attached to and removed from said tray and to be held thereon in upright positions, substantially as described.

5. A carrying and displaying device for toys comprising a oor, a top sheet secured thereto and raised therefrom and having an opening with a radial offset, in combination with a toy article having a circular base formed to rest on said floor and turn in said opening and provided with a thin radial projection to pass down through said offset and move under said sheet and be clamped between the same and said floor, substantially as described.

6. In combination, a tray com prisin ga Hoor, an upper sheet, and spacing means between and secured to said floor and sheet, said sheet formed with openings each having a lateral enlargement, and a toy havinga circular base with a radial projection from its lower portion, said base and projection adapted, in a given relation, yto pass down through said opening and enlargement and rest on said floor and on being turned to wedge said projection between the door and sheet to clamp the toy to the tray, said base having a surrounding edge abutting against the edge of the sheet around said opening, substantially as described.

7. A display-tray for toys comprising one or more flexible sheets and formed with series of sockets, each having an opening and adapted to detachably clamp toys in an upright position to the tray, in combination with toy articles, each having a'bottom supporting base or pedestal formed to hold the toy upright, and adapted, in a given relation, to enter one of said sockets and on being turned to wedge and be clamped between the walls of the socket thereby locking the toys in upright positions on the tray and permitting the toys to be easily attached to and removed from the tray, substantially as described.

y8. In combination, a box having an opening, a flanged cover therefor, the anges of the cover arranged to lit around the exterior of the box, a toy-display tray fitting snugly in the cover Within the flanges thereof, toy articles detachably secured to said tray, said box covering said tray and the toys thereon and clamping said tray, around its edges, between the cover and the edges of the box around its opening, substantially as described.

9. In combination, a box, a flanged cover therefor, a toy-display tray having sockets formed to detachably secure toys thereto in an upright position, toy articles confined to the tray in an upright position, said tray fitted in the cover within the iianges thereof, said box covering said tray and the toy articles thereon, said tray being clamped between the cover and the edges of the box which engage the tray outside of the toy articles and adjacent to its edges, substantially as described.

l0. A display and supporting tray for toys formed with series of sockets, each formed to detachably andfrictionally clamp toy articles to the tray in an upright position, in combination with toy articles, each having a bottom base or pedestal by which the toy stands in an upright position, said base formed, in a given relation, to enter one of said sockets and on being turned to wedge between the walls thereof, thereby detachably locking the article in an upright position to the tray, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHAS. W. BEISER.

Witnesses:

HARRY N. SCHMITZ, J r., JACOB Hau.

IOD 

